Lloyd Austin
Israel’s defense minister called on the Hamas terrorists to “cease fire and immediately release the hostages.”
Washington’s threat sends a “dangerous message” to two countries’ common enemies, says the pro-Israel group.
Failure to comply “may have implications for U.S. policy,” U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin reportedly wrote.
The Pentagon chief stressed the need “to pivot from military operations in Lebanon to a diplomatic pathway” as soon as possible.
“Hezbollah operates and fires in the vicinity of UNIFIL positions, using peacekeeping missions as a cover for its terrorist activities.”
The American defense secretary “strongly emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety and security of UNIFIL forces and Lebanese Armed Forces.”
The Biden administration had been hoping to learn more from Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, whose visit to the U.S. was postponed at the last minute.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin spoke with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant after the “outrageous act of aggression by Iran against Israel,”
The U.S. defense secretary and his counterpart, Yoav Gallant, “agreed on the necessity of dismantling attack infrastructure along the border to ensure that Lebanese Hezbollah cannot conduct Oct. 7-style attacks on Israel’s northern communities.”
“The United States remains postured to protect U.S. forces and facilities in the region and committed to the defense of Israel,” said Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
The two also “discussed the wider regional situation and the threats posed by Iran and its proxies,” according to an Israeli statement.
The Israeli defense minister held several phone calls with his American counterpart over the weekend.
